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Lisa explained to me how she that is was modelled on the old by Owen J. Lewis embarked upon a grant funded competitions that local dancers exploration of Devonshire step used to dance in. Bob Cann, BEM dancing in 2017, how the melting (1916-1990), who was passionate pot of styles came to be and about the entertainment Devonshire how the tradition is now. Initially traditions of Dartmoor and was I wanted to know how Lisa grew an accomplished melodeon interested in the dance and how and concertina player as well she herself learned to master as stepdancer, started a festival such an intriguing tradition. It all to celebrate these traditions came about when she enrolled – The Dartmoor Folk Festival. in Dartington College of Arts. “I Stepdancing was always included, very quickly got involved with but there weren’t many dancers Step Dancing the Dartington Morris team,” she around to restart the competitions. said, “and this led to visiting some In 1983, Lisa and her partner traditional musicians, one was visited Bob Cann as he wanted Photo: Lisa Sture Pop Hingston on the river Dart, an old concertina he had in the Jack Rice and Bill Cann judging the 1985 South Zeal competition and then Les Rice, Jack Rice and cupboard to be renovated for his George Allen in the Three Crowns young grandson. Whilst talking ne of the most crucial in Chagford. Les was a player, a to Bob about stepdancing, Bob dancer and a singer. Jack played expressed an interest for reviving elements of the a harmonica and danced. And the tradition of stepdancing folk revival is the George, who was a slight man, competitions, but said that there O smoked a big cigar and played weren’t enough dancers to hold sustainability of what you a very big accordion,” she said one. Lisa said she knew dancers have discovered and revived. with a noticeable air of respect. and had been teaching some and If people pick up and enjoy She also went on to explain that could put the word around. That she found the Devonshire pubs was all Bob needed to hear; he what has been revived, were great fun because, “it is said to tell people and he would and in turn share it to an simply great to be with the old organise a competition for the boys, so of course you would next year’s festival. Lisa said that understanding audience, you want to dance.” Lisa raises an Bob thought it was important to have success: that is how interesting point: “Women didn’t teach the children in the area seem to be in pub bars, where stepdancing and to encourage the revival works. Where men regularly danced, until younger people to have a go. So, Sue Coe dancing on the wagon at South Zeal - Photo: Alan Quick one can see evidence of this maybe the sixties. Men danced the first competition happened aspect of the revival is in the together a lot, one report being in 1984 and competitions in up instead of down and dancers that there was no need to note of a whole room of men dancing Dartmoor have been going are marked for their timing, their them down. It may also have Devon stepdancing tradition, together, but the women were not ever since. Today there are style and the complexity and been that, as it was an improvised high up on Dartmoor in a there.” So it is not surprising that also competitions in Chagford difficulty of the steps.” Lisa added tradition, there was no clear “this it was the older male dancers that and Okehampton and the first that although 15 inches square is how it is done”, and if he asked place called South Zeal. I Lisa found. Women had been competition ever to happen at is small, it was said that good someone to repeat a step, they spoke to researcher and dancing, but more at home and the Devon County Show will be dancers could dance on a dinner may have done it differently. Sharp at meetings like the Women’s in 2020. plate, but she hadn’t found one knew, though, about the sheer joy step dancer Lisa Sture about Institute entertainments. Now it is yet that didn’t break. the dancers feel when they are Devonshire step dancing and shared more evenly amongst the So how does a competition work? up there doing their thing, but he how step dancing in general genders. Now, anyone can dance Lisa told me: “There is a flat back Lisa noted that it is very difficult didn’t annotate any dances. and entertain. farm wagon with a dance board to learn steps just by watching is fairing in the revival of lost on it. The musician sits on the cart someone else dance, and it was As women weren’t allowed or or fading traditions. The term Dartmoor Stepdancing with his back to the dancers. They not a quick process to learn her didn’t venture into the pubs, I has come into use fairly recently dance three times each and the teacher Les Rice’s steps. In fact, was interested to know how they as the dancers that were still musicians must never know who most steps, even when similar, got involved. It turns out that known to dance in the 1980s it is they play for. The tunes used were rarely exactly the same as dancing was everywhere, so they were all from Dartmoor, with some are hornpipes and the first half someone else’s, so although would dance at get-togethers of the Romany Gypsy dancers of the tune is called the setting the tradition looks as though it in private homes, at village hall living just outside of Dartmoor. where the dancer will mark time, is set as it has a set structure entertainments and at fairs and The annual competition at the and in the second half the dancer for competition, the actual steps other such events. Dartmoor Folk Festival, which will show their steps. One’s heart are always individual. From the was the link from the old dancers goes out to the player, reports current information it seems that The Romany Gypsy Travellers to today, is also on Dartmoor. from the past say that some nearly improvisation was part of all the in the area were always an Furthermore, the 2017 project, fell asleep with the repetition, but shoe stepdance traditions, i.e. important part of the tradition and ‘Taking Steps: Discovering & it is crucial all dancers have the not referring to clog-stepping, when there was a competition, Enjoying Dartmoor’s Stepdance same tune. Judging is quite a across England. The famous competed. If today you have Heritage’, was focussed complex matter and has changed collector of traditional music and an evening out with some on engaging the Dartmoor from the old days. Then, one dance, Cecil Sharp, writing in Romany Gypsy dancers, you community and invigorating would start with a number and 1911 said stepdance was, “the will notice they will dance to jigs stepdancing in this area. However, during the dance, points would most popular folk dance at the and waltzes, not just hornpipes, there are newspaper references be deducted for mistakes or lack present time” and “standing and not on a small board. It in the archives that refer to of timing. If you fell off the board proof of the capacity of the village looks like a different tradition, stepdancing in every corner of it was an instant disqualification. dancer to create and execute although there are similarities in Devon, and the old Dartmoor The board I learnt on,” said Lisa, extremely complex and intricate some steps. Lisa said, “One of stepdancers themselves used to “was an 18 inch square board. movements.” However, Cecil the questions is whether it is a call it “Devonshire Stepdancing”. For the Dartmoor Folk Festival Sharp did not ever note any step different tradition, whether the competition, the board is 15 dancing steps down. Some have practice of Devon Step Dancing So how did this competition inches square, making it all just a suggested that it was because it has changed, or whether it was come about? Lisa explained little harder. The score now goes was so popular it was perceived always an improvised dance Albert Crocker on the wagon winning the 1932 Whiddon Down competition with 'Uncle' George Cann playing the concertina Photo courtesy of Julie Scoines The Living Tradition - Page 30 The Living Tradition - Page 31 (albeit influenced by the dancers known across the county. The you watched) just aiming to dance competition to be held at the 2020 Live Music Local out the rhythm of the music. We Devon County Show will certainly don’t know this, and I wonder if it help that. Find The Living Tradition at a venue near you is possible to know it.” There is now a slot in the busy The best way to find out about live music in your area is to go to a local event and ask. A folk club or specialist music shop is often a good Sidmouth Folk Festival where step Bob Cann commented that the starting point for information. The following clubs, venues and shops are among those where you will find copies of The Living Tradition and dancers meet, talk and dance large number of Romany Gypsies, people who will be happy to help. If you want your club, venue or shop listed here please contact us at [email protected].

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